Launch of new Mental Health Hub in Shoalhaven

On Tuesday 15 October 2024, Anglicare launched a brand new Mental Health Hub for the Shoalhaven region. 

The opening event held in Shoalhaven was attended by the Hon. Fiona Phillips, Member for Gilmore who took a site tour ahead of the opening event. Also present on the day was Carly Warner, Senior Program Manager at Anglicare, Prudence Buist, CEO of Coordinare and Melissa Neal, Mental Health Commissioning Director of Coordinare among other guests. The opening event included a smoking ceremony and a Welcome to Country by Uncle Tom Moore.

Developed in collaboration with the local community, the Shoalhaven Mental Health Hub is funded and supported by Coordinare under the local Primary Health Network (PHN), and operated by Anglicare. The hub offers free services available for adults and young people seeking emotional wellbeing and mental health support. 

Operating from a new site, named Yana Gungala, meaning “Walk Beside” in the local Dhurga language, the Shoalhaven Mental Health Hub is dedicated to providing accessible mental health support, walking alongside the community every step of the way. The Hub will adopt a "no wrong door" approach, ensuring that anyone who walks in will receive the support they need, whether it be immediate mental health assistance, short to medium-term support, or help navigating other available services. 

“We are proud to be able to open the doors to the new Shoalhaven Mental Health Hub in Nowra. We are confident this new hub will make a meaningful difference and contribute to positive, lasting change in our community,” said Andrew Ford, Chief Executive, Community and Mission at Anglicare.

The Shoalhaven Mental Health Hub features a diverse team with a wide range of experiences, including mental health practitioners, peer workers, and Aboriginal mental health workers. This unique blend allows for tailored support to meet each individual's specific needs, ensuring a compassionate and understanding approach to mental health care.

“We are proud to bring together a diverse team who are committed to making a difference to those experiencing mental health challenges. Our aim is to offer tailored support that addresses each individual's unique needs, ensuring that everyone who comes to the Shoalhaven Mental Health Hub receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve,” said Andrew.

The Shoalhaven Mental Health Hub is co-located with Wellways, a community mental health support service funded by the Ministry of Health, to foster a collaborative approach in supporting the community. By working together, both organisations aim to provide integrated services that will improve mental health outcomes for individuals in the Shoalhaven region.  

The Shoalhaven Mental Health Hub is located at 11 Haigh Avenue, Nowra.

For more information and to access services, please contact 1800 841 190 or click here.